Pyrotechnic side impact inflator
First Claim
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1. An inflator of cylindrical shape having a longitudinal axis comprising:
- an igniter having ignition material that burns upon application of heat;
one gas generant disposed adjacent to the igniter whereby the igniter directly ignites the gas generant;
a generant cup, the generant cup having a cylindrical shape with an open end and a closed end bottom for storing the gas generant wherein the open end of the gas generant cup faces the igniter, a rupture lid is fixedly attached to the open end of the generant cup creating an air-tight environment for the gas generant, and the closed end bottom is rupturable upon burning of the gas generant to create a gas flow path outward the ruptured bottom end;
a plurality of apertures adjacent the closed end bottom of the generant cup for directing the gas flow substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inflator;
a tubular filter positioned adjacent to the apertures; and
a filter housing that receives the entire filter, the filter housing having a closed end and a plurality of exit ports arranged around the circumference thereof whereby each of the exit ports is aligned with the filter and is in closer proximity to the apertures than to the closed end, wherein the inflation gas for filling an airbag is produced only from the burning of the ignition material and the gas generant and the majority of gas molecules reflect off the closed end then through the filter and out of the inflator via the exit ports.
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Abstract
A pyrotechnic side impact inflator is provided for inflating a side airbag in an automobile. The inflator has a few number of physical components and has a tubular shape. The inflator has an igniter that directly ignites the main gas generant in the inflator. The burning of the gas generant produces combustion products or inflation gas that is utilized to inflate a folded airbag. The inflation gas travels in a tortuous path in the inflator, which reduces the kinetic energy associated with the gas molecules thereby cooling the inflation gas.
50 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An inflator of cylindrical shape having a longitudinal axis comprising:
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an igniter having ignition material that burns upon application of heat;
one gas generant disposed adjacent to the igniter whereby the igniter directly ignites the gas generant;
a generant cup, the generant cup having a cylindrical shape with an open end and a closed end bottom for storing the gas generant wherein the open end of the gas generant cup faces the igniter, a rupture lid is fixedly attached to the open end of the generant cup creating an air-tight environment for the gas generant, and the closed end bottom is rupturable upon burning of the gas generant to create a gas flow path outward the ruptured bottom end;
a plurality of apertures adjacent the closed end bottom of the generant cup for directing the gas flow substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inflator;
a tubular filter positioned adjacent to the apertures; and
a filter housing that receives the entire filter, the filter housing having a closed end and a plurality of exit ports arranged around the circumference thereof whereby each of the exit ports is aligned with the filter and is in closer proximity to the apertures than to the closed end, wherein the inflation gas for filling an airbag is produced only from the burning of the ignition material and the gas generant and the majority of gas molecules reflect off the closed end then through the filter and out of the inflator via the exit ports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An inflator of cylindrical shape having a longitudinal axis comprising:
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an igniter having ignition material that burns upon application of heat;
one gas generant disposed adjacent to the igniter whereby the igniter directly ignites the gas generant;
a combustion chamber for storing the gas generant, the igniter received in a first end of the combustion chamber, a second sealed end of the combustion chamber having a plurality of apertures covered by a burst foil for gas to flow out of the combustion chamber substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;
a tubular filter positioned adjacent to the apertures; and
a filter housing that receives the entire filter, the filter housing having a closed end and a plurality of exit ports arranged around the circumference thereof whereby each of the exit ports is aligned with the filter and is in closer proximity to the apertures than to the closed end, wherein the inflation gas for filling an airbag is produced only from the burning of the ignition material and the gas generant and the majority of gas molecules reflect off the closed end then through the filter and out of the inflator via the exit ports. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A cylindrically shaped inflator having a longitudinal axis comprising:
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an igniter having ignition material that burns upon application of heat;
one gas generant disposed adjacent to the igniter whereby the igniter directly ignites the gas generant;
a generant cup, the generant cup having a cylindrical shape with an open end and a closed end bottom for storing the gas generant wherein an open end of the gas generant cup faces the igniter, and the bottom is rupturable upon burning of the burning of the gas generant to create a gas flow path outward the ruptured bottom;
a plurality of apertures adjacent the closed end bottom of the generant cup for directing the gas flow substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inflator;
a tubular filter positioned adjacent to the gas generant; and
an inflator housing that receives the entire filter, the inflator housing having a closed end and a plurality of exit ports arranged around the circumference thereof whereby each of the exit ports is aligned with the filter and is in closer proximity to the plurality of apertures than to the closed end, wherein the inflation gas for filling an airbag is produced only from the burning of the ignition material and the gas generant and the majority of gas molecules reflect off the closed end then through the filter and out of the inflator via the exit ports. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification